One element that Major League Soccer clubs still lack is a deeper, richer connection to its fans.

That’s not a criticism of the way clubs are run. The methods and marketing strategies aren’t always perfect, of course, but where deeper roots and more unbreakable connections are missed, it’s mostly about history.

The oldest MLS clubs, the “96ers,” are just 17 years old. (Yes, yes, some clubs have been around longer, in various forms, but stay with me here …)

Seventeen years isn’t anything to spit at. But let’s just pick a couple of random clubs for comparison: Germany’s Bayern Munich is 112 years old. Spain’s Real Madrid is a regal 110. Notts County in England has been around since 1862 – so, 150 long years.

These are the regional roots that matter, the bonds of time. When your father and his father and his father supported a club, it’s almost literally in your blood.

That’s simply not something MLS clubs can create by throwing more marketing dollars at it. This happens organically or not at all.

Which is why I love this Seattle Sounders plan, the ability of fans to retain or dismiss the club’s general manager by vote.

I know some find it gimmicky; I see it differently. This is one way of establishing those deeper connections with supporters.

Look at it like this: t-shirt night or a post-game concert is fine for drawing folks to a match, hopefully turning a few into “fans” along the way. But to empowering the faithful, to cultivate something bigger, to foster links that make the tried and trues part of the organization’s very fabric, all of that is a longer stride toward nourishing a culture, toward creating “true supporters.”

With the first section labelled “basically, free money” for the picks I think are dead certs. The section labelled “don’t touch this” means if you’re betting I advise you to stay clear, while the “so you’re telling me there’s a chance” section are the longshots. If it is better odds you are after, those are the picks to go for.

Watford host Everton on Saturday (7:30 a.m. ET live NBCSN and online via NBC Sports.com) at Vicarage Road to kick things off with both teams out of form and desperate for a win.

Then Arsenal welcome Stoke City to the Emirates Stadium (10 a.m. ET live NBCSN andonline via NBC Sports.com) as Arsene Wenger‘s side look to stretch their unbeaten run to 14 games in the Premier League against a resurgent Potters outfit.

As the same time struggling Swansea City and Sunderland clash (10 a.m. ET live CNBC and online via NBC Sports.com) in a massive relegation battle at the Liberty Stadium. Can Bob Bradley get a big win?

Rounding things off on Saturday we have a big game for two teams in contrasting situations as Leicester City host Manchester City (12:30 p.m. ET live NBC and online via NBC Sports.com) at the King Power Stadium with Claudio Ranieri‘s side in a relegation battle. As for Pep Guardiola and City, they haven’t had it all their own way recently but are just four points off top spot.

On Sunday league-leader Chelsea host West Brom (7 a.m. ET live NBCSN and online via NBC Sports.com) with Antonio Conte‘s boys aiming to make it eight-straight wins in the Premier League but the in-form Baggies stand in the way. Then Manchester United and Tottenham collide at Old Trafford (9:15 a.m. ET live on NBCSN and online via NBC Sports.com) in one of the games of the weekend as both teams still harbor title aspirations but look more likely to simply challenge for the top four this season.

To round Week 15 off Liverpool welcome struggling West Ham to Anfield (11:30 a.m. ET live NBCSN and online via NBC Sports.com) with Jurgen Klopp‘s men aiming to get over their shocking defeat at Bournemouth, while Slaven Bilic‘s Hammers will take anything they can get from this trip.

If you’re looking for full-event replays of Premier League games, you can find them here. They are available soon after the final whistle, but rights limit us to a certain number each week. Looking for game highlights? Try this. Here’s your full TV schedule for the coming days. Enjoy.